Steamy Corn

You will need:
3 Corns
400ml Water
Olive Oil for brushing
Salt & grounded black Pepper as per taste
2 Lemons, each cut into half and deseeded
1 1/2 tsp red Chili powder
1/4 tsp Chaat masala
2 pinches of black Salt (optional)


Method:

1. Wash the Corns under running water and pat them dry.
2. Brush the corns with little Olive oil each and smear some salt on each of them.
3. Cut the corn into halves or quarters (easier for the kids to eat).
4. Place them in a cooker vessel WITHOUT any water in it.
5. Pour Water (400ml) in the pressure cooker and place the vessel with corn in the pressure cooker.
6. Close the cooker and turn the flame to high and let it stand for 3-4 whistles.
7. Turn off the hob and let it cool.
8. On cooling remove the corn and apply half or as per taste juice of lemon on each corn piece.
9. Mix the remaining dry ingredients (red chili, pepper, black salt & chaat masala) and smear little of it on each corn.
10. Adjust the taste as per your needs and enjoy while its steaming hot! 

Enjoyed by all age groups especially during the monsoon :D

Cheese Khakra (Crisp Wheat Indian Bread)

You will need:

4 Khakras
6 Cubes of Cheddar Cheese / 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (eg: Amul), finely greated
1 large / 2 medium Onions, finely chopped (optional)
2 green Chilies, finely chopped (optional)*
Grounded black Pepper as per taste (optional)
1/2 tsp dried Thyme / Oregano (optional)
2 tbsp Coriander, finely chopped
* Can sprinkle Red Chili flakes as per taste on each Khakra instead

Method:

1. In a medium size bowl, add the grated cheese, onions, chili/red chili flakes, black pepper, thyme/oregano and coriander.
2. Mix it well and immediately spread it on each Khakra.
3. Now place each Khakra in the microwave, one at a time, for 1 min on High temperature. The number of Khakra that your microwave can accommodate will, depend on the size of your microwave. 

Note: For a Chatpata taste, add Chaat masala instead of dried Thyme/Oregano.

This is one of my fav. snacks. Hope you guys enjoy it too :D

Corn Bhel Crackers

You will need:

10-15 pieces of Wheat Crackers (eg: britania)

2 tbsp Olive oil/ Nutralite/MeadowLea butter

3 cups sweet yellow Corn, boiled (10 mins) and strained

2 small size green Capsicum, finely chopped

1 medium size Onion, finely chopped*

1 medium size Tomato, finely chopped

1 tsp green Chili, finely chopped*

1 tsp Chat Masala (I use Everest)

1/2 tsp Black Salt (I use Satyam)

1/2 tsp ground black Pepper

1/2 Lemon

Salt as per taste

* You can chop the Onions and Chili together in the Chopper

Garnish:

1/4 cup Pomegranate

Coriander

Method:

1. Chop the Capsicum, Onion-Chili and Tomato individually in a chopper and keep them separately.
2. In a non-stick kadai, heat the oil on medium flame and add the onion-chili and saute them till the onions turn translucent.
3. To it add the capsicum and cook on high flame for 2 mins or till u hear the capsicum splatter, then reduce the flame to medium.
4. Next add the Tomato and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes become tender and release their juice.
5. To this add the boiled & strained sweet yellow Corn. Saute the mixture for 2 mins.
6. Now add the Chat masala, black Salt, ground black Pepper and mix it well on med-low flame. Saute for 1-2 mins.
7. Check for the spices and adjust as per need and add Salt as per taste.
8. Turn of the hob and squeeze the juice of 1/2 Lemon and stir the Corn Bhel well.
9. In a serving tray/plate, place the Wheat Crackers and 1 1/2 tbsp of the Corn Bhel on each.
10. Garnish with Coriander and Pomegranate and serve.

A good appetizer if you have friends/family coming to visit you :D

Vegetable Idli

You will need:

1/2kg ready Idli batter (makes around 12-15 Idlis)

1/4 cup French Beans, chopped

1/4 cup Carrots, chopped

1/4 cup green Peas

2tbspn Corriander, chopped

500 ml Water

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Remove the ready Idli batter in a bowl and give it a good stir for a min.
2. Bring the water to boil, turn the flame down and add the french beans, carrot, peas and salt to it.
3. On a medium flame let the vegetables simmer for 10 mins. The vegetables should be tender.
4. Strain the water and add corainder to the vegetables and mix them well. Keep the vegetables mixture on the side for now.
5. Grease the Idli stand or pan well with Ghee (or olive oil).
6. Place 1 tbsp of the vegetable mixture in the greased Idli stand or pan and top it of with the Idli batter till each of them is full.
7. Add 400ml water in the Idli container and place the Idli stand or pan in it carefully.
8. Cover and steam the Idlis for about 10-15 mins.
9. Once done, carefully open the Idli container (keep your face away while opening as the steam let out from it could cause burning sensation)
10. Check if the Idlis are done by piercing a knife in it. If it comes out clean (98%), the Idlis are done. If not, let it steam for another 5 mins.
11. Scoop out the Idlis and serve them hot with Coconut chutney/ Sambar/ Idli podi (powder).

This recipe is a hit especially with the kids :)

My Fav. Dip - u'll love it too!

You will need:

Piece of Muslin cloth (8"X8")

200g Curd (nestle/amul)

100 - 200 ml Fresh Cream (amul or anyother but not homemade)

8 - 10 pods Garlic, finely grated

Salt & Black ground Pepper as per taste

Garnish:

1/4 cup Spring Onion greens (only), chopped finely

Method:

1. Empty the Curd in the muslin cloth. Tie & let it hang for an hr or two - till the curd becomes really thick.
2. Empty the thick Curd into a medium size bowl. To this add, fresh cream, garlic, salt & pepper.
3. Place the above bowl on a bowl of ice and whisk all the ingredients for 3 - 5 mins or till the dip is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Finally garnish it with spring onion greens.
5. Serve with Cucumber and Carrot slices.*

*could be served with nachos, wafers or crackers.

This serves as a great appetizer when you have some friends or family coming home for dinner or a get together. You could also try different variations like use as a bread spread, etc. If you have your own variations do share it :D

Garlic Bread - Effortlessly!

You will need:

10 slices of White/Brown/Multi-Grain Bread

3 tbsp Olive Oil/ Olive Butter

6-8 pods Garlic paste/finely grated

Salt & Black ground Pepper as per taste

Method:

1. Toast the bread slices as you like it
2. In a bowl add olive oil/butter, garlic, salt & pepper and mix it well.
3. Spread the above mixture over the toasted bread and cut it into halves.
4. Serve it.

Its quick and easy. Enjoy :D

Oats on the GO!

You will need:

2 sccops/ 4 tbsp Oats (I prefer Quaker Natural Oats)

1 small tomato, finel chopped

1 tbsp green pea, parboiled in 150 ml water + pinch salt

1/2 cube of Magic Cubes (vegetarian Masala)*

250 ml water

Method:

1. In a medium size bowl, add all the above ingredients and stir it to-fro once.
2. Put the bowl in the microwave and set it at 450W for 3:30 mins.
3. Remove and stir with a spoon till all the ingredients blend.
4. The consistency of the oats should be medium thick like a porridge, if not set it for 30 s/1 min at the same temp. or if you would like it thinner you can water as per your requirement and set it for 30 sec at the same temp.

* Don't add Extra Salt unless required as, the magic cubes contain salt.

Some of you may find it bland in which case u can add condiments like Tobasco, Chilli sauce or our good old Ketchup :D and IF, any one of you have a better idea please do share.....

Mushroom Bruschetta

You will need:

10 slices of white/brown/multi-grain bread, toasted (medium crisp or as you like it)

10-15 Button Mushrooms

2 Small size Tomatoes, finely chopped

1 medium size Onion, finely chopped

5-6 Garlic pods, finely grated or chopped*

1/2 tsp Ginger, finely grated or chopped*

1/2 tsp Green Chilli, finey chopped*

1/2 tsp dried Thyme/Oregano (optional)

1/4 cup coriander, finely chopped

1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp Olive Oil

Salt as per taste

*You can chop the Garlic, Ginger and Chilli together in the chopper - saves time

Garnishing:

8-10 green/black Olive slices

Method:

1. Pressure cook the mushrooms separately in 250 ml water + 50 ml milk, for 8 - 10 whistles or till u can easily pierce the mushroom with a knife. Once done, strain the liquid and slice the mushrooms into halves
2. In a chopper, finely chop the mushrooms first and set aside in a large bowl
3. Then chop the onion finely in the chopper and add it to the mushrooms.
4. Now chop the Tomatoes in the chopper and add it to the above mixture.
5. Add chopped garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander, thyme/oregano (optional), white pepper (optional), black pepper, salt and olive oil to the above mixture
6. Mix and squeeze the contents in the bowl to blend the spices, oil and release the juice of the tomatoes.
7. Set it aside for 10 mins (marination)
8. Place the prepared marination on the bread slices and cut it into half or four pieces
9. Decorate/garnish with Olives.

Enjoy you meal and DO leave your comments. Oh and one last thing I have left Thyme/Oregano optional as, some people don't like either of the seasonings (my hubby is one of them) :D